Catching the bus will soon cost more

The Volusia County Council voted Nov. 7 to increase the fare to ride on Votran buses with the changes going into effect starting in February.

It was passed by a 5-1 vote without discussion. Only Councilwoman Deb Denys was opposed. Councilman Pat Patterson was absent.

The changes the council voted on included an increase for a one-way ride from $1.25 to $1.50 in 2014 and to $1.75 in 2015. The reduced fare went up from $.60 to $.75 in 2014 and to $.85 in 2015. An all-day pass will increase from $3 to $3.50 in 2014 and to $3.75 in 2015.

Other increases include changing a three-day pass from $6 to $7 in 2014 to $7.50 in 2015; a seven-day pass up from $12 to $12.75 in 2014 and to $13 in 2015; and a 31-day pass increase from $40 to $45 in 2014 to $46 in 2015.

Lines up with Lynx
Volusia County spokesman Dave Byron said the only other change the council voted on was to change the definition of a reduced rider minor from age 6 to 17 to 7 to 18.

“This standardizes Votran with Lynx so that fare media are compatible for the start of SunRail service. This is a minor change for Votran,” Byron said. Lynx provides public transportation in Orange, Seminole and Osceola counties.

The last time Votran had a fare increase was in January 2007.

The county sought public input on the proposed fare increase through five public meetings in September across the county. Bus surveys also were accessible for the public to fill out.

$230,000 annual income
Votran currently has about 3.6 million fixed route boardings a year. At $1.50, a one-way fare is still below the state average rate of $1.56, Votran’s General Manager Steven Sherrer has stated.

The 25-cent increase in fixed route service fares is anticipated to generate additional annual income of about $230,000.